Disney/Eagle Scout Letter

[Tink888]

Opinion here. If the scout wants the recognition and sends the letters, so be it. This thread brings to mind circling helicopters and the pilots/parents who want special treatment for precious snowflakes. I was raised that you do things to help others without looking for anything in return. Somehow, sending a request for recognition doesn't make the recognition appear to be heartfelt or genuine. Again, my opinion.

Definitely entitled to your opinion.

I just look at it differently. The boy didn't spend years in scouting earning Eagle rank (and it does take years) looking for anything. He wanted to earn it because it means something to be able to say that you've earned that rank (in the world of scouting at the very least).

Neither the OP, nor her son are looking for special treatment. These letters are something that have already been done, for years.

I don't think (and it's just my opinion) that it's snowflaky or helicoptery. And this is based on what we did for my grandparents with regard to the letter we got from the President for their anniversary. They never would've sent a request to the White House for the letter. We knew we could get one for them, so we did. We thought they be tickled by it and they were. It was just a little something extra that made them smile. I don't think my grandparents are special, snowflaky grandparents, but they are special to me personally and the rest of our family. And if there was something special that we could do for them, however small, we wanted to do it.

As this thread has proven, the world is full of people just waiting to tear you down, so if you can do a little something extra for the ones you love, why not?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Definitely entitled to your opinion.

I just look at it differently. The boy didn't spend years in scouting earning Eagle rank (and it does take years) looking for anything. He wanted to earn it because it means something to be able to say that you've earned that rank (in the world of scouting at the very least).

Neither the OP, nor her son are looking for special treatment. These letters are something that have already been done, for years.

I don't think (and it's just my opinion) that it's snowflaky or helicoptery. And this is based on what we did for my grandparents with regard to the letter we got from the President for their anniversary. They never would've sent a request to the White House for the letter. We knew we could get one for them, so we did. We thought they be tickled by it and they were. It was just a little something extra that made them smile. I don't think my grandparents are special, snowflaky grandparents, but they are special to me personally and the rest of our family. And if there was something special that we could do for them, however small, we wanted to do it.

As this thread has proven, the world is full of people just waiting to tear you down, so if you can do a little something extra for the ones you love, why not?

 

[mdsoccermom]

Wow, so much negativity from the posters in this thread.

Apparently, from the link posted by SBELL, Disney, along with a lot of other corporations and government entities issue the letters if requested. The OP isn't asking for anything that doesn't already have a history of being done if requested.

So what is the big deal and what's so wrong with the OP asking for one for her son?

Don't like or agree with Boy Scouts? You wouldn't personally do it? Fine, you're entitled to your opinion but for people involved with scouting attaining Eagle Rank is a huge deal and it comes hard-earned. If OP wants to celebrate that for her son w/ a letter from a place where they've made many family memories, more power to them. It's a keepsake that he can keep with his other scouting mementos and look at years from now.

If you've been married 50 years and you (or someone in your family) sends in a copy of your marriage certificate, the President of the United States will send you a congratulatory letter (as least they used to do this). We did that for my grandparents on their 50th. Sure, it was a form letter and I doubt the President himself actually signed it, but my grandparents still got a kick out of it when they received it.

What's so wrong with doing something a little special to make someone feel good? .

Congrats to your son OP!

I guess I see a keepsake as something that has true, heartfelt meaning. It's not meaningful if recognition has to be asked for.

Then again, we received letters of congratulations from Presidents Clinton and Bush when our kids were born ( and no, we did NOT request them) and I couldn't tell you in a million years where those letters are. I don't think weceven showed them to anyone. I also used to sign letters with the auto pen when I was a congressional intern and know how more often than not, the congressperson never sets eyes on that letter.

 

[iheartdisney]

As this thread has proven, the world is full of people just waiting to tear you down, so if you can do a little something extra for the ones you love, why not?

Too true unfortunately!
I think it is less strange then getting a letter from the President for doing enough push-ups in Elementary school, or asking strangers on an internet forum to help out with a child's Flat Stanley or geography class assignments.

Congrats OP to your son on his accomplishment! (coming from a mom who just took her son to his first cub scout den meeting yesterday!)
i also remember when I enlisted in the Navy, Eagle Scout was one of the things that could get you a bump in rank at enlistment. (i was the wrong gender for that one though!)

 

[Tink888]

I guess I see a keepsake as something that has true, heartfelt meaning. It's not meaningful if recognition has to be asked for.

Then again, we received letters of congratulations from Presidents Clinton and Bush when our kids were born ( and no, we did NOT request them) and I couldn't tell you in a million years where those letters are. I don't think weceven showed them to anyone. I also used to sign letters with the auto pen when I was a congressional intern and know how more often than not, the congressperson never sets eyes on that letter.

And as you said, you were an intern and used to sign letters with an auto pen, so to you those types of letters are meaningless. To someone else though, they might mean something special. What one person finds meaningful, another may not. Doesn't make the item in question less important or valuable because it is the individual who is placing the value on the item.

I still keep the 1st letter my boys got from Santa in their school years memory books. Computer generated, mass produced, letter from non-existent Santa. Still in the book. Still a keepsake. Someday, they (or their wife, or their child, myself when I'm feeling nostalgic) will look through the book, come across the letter and smile. Then again they might think it's a big book of garbage. But it's important to me KWIM?

 

[jaminmd]

Obviously you missed the LOL and . Wow....get a sense of humor.

I didn't realize that was a poor attempt at humor.

 

[undertheradar]

Why the public display of these letters if it is not a competition or "bragging rights" thing? Satisfaction for a job well done should be seeing the project from start to completion. Just not getting why receiving letters from people who don't know the scout or have witness to the project are an important recognition of attaining Eagle Scout. Looks like it is far more important to the parents and leaders. I know several Eagle Scouts and they don't whip out a book of letters to show to friends and company.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

Why the public display of these letters if it is not a competition or "bragging rights" thing? Satisfaction for a job well done should be seeing the project from start to completion. Just not getting why receiving letters from people who don't know the scout or have witness to the project are an important recognition of attaining Eagle Scout. Looks like it is far more important to the parents and leaders. I know several Eagle Scouts and they don't whip out a book of letters to show to friends and company.

I agree - seems a lot like bragging for the public display of letters.

And way to much helicopter parenting. What is wrong with just having friends and family send congrats? Have a nice dinner.

 

[my3sonsagn]

I guess I see a keepsake as something that has true, heartfelt meaning. It's not meaningful if recognition has to be asked for.

Then again, we received letters of congratulations from Presidents Clinton and Bush when our kids were born ( and no, we did NOT request them) and I couldn't tell you in a million years where those letters are. I don't think weceven showed them to anyone. I also used to sign letters with the auto pen when I was a congressional intern and know how more often than not, the congressperson never sets eyes on that letter.

Someone sent in a birth announcement or request on your behalf; those congratulations cards are only sent out upon request (or at least receipt of a birth announcement at a particular address). It was something nice someone somewhere along the way to surprise you.... much the same as what is being done by the OP - getting (or at least attempting to) a surprise acknowledgment of his achievement by an entity she feels would have meaning for him.

 

[mdsoccermom]

Someone sent in a birth announcement or request on your behalf; those congratulations cards are only sent out upon request (or at least receipt of a birth announcement at a particular address). It was something nice someone somewhere along the way to surprise you.... much the same as what is being done by the OP - getting (or at least attempting to) a surprise acknowledgment of his achievement by an entity she feels would have meaning for him.

My husband works for the Secret Service (no not a secret). His work reported it as was done for everyone in his office that had a baby. It wasn't anyone close or meaningful that did it.

The things that we're proud of? The letters of commendation my husband has gotten from work from his supervisors. The note randomly sent home from DDs science teacher about what a great kid and hard worker she is. The progress reports from the kids teachers praising them for their work and character. Notes from friends and family after their births. Those are the things worth having-not form letters signed by people that never met my family.

 

[BrerMom]

What a bunch of mean-spirited people we have on the boards today! <snip>

It's not a competition how many letters my son receives. I'm not sending out 1000 requests. I just thought that Disney, as a place that means so much to my family, would have a way of saying contratulations for your hard work. They will celebrate everything and anything else.

So sorry I asked.

Don't be sorry you asked. What percentage of people have even attended an eagle scout court of honor? They don't understand because they haven't had the experience. For too many people, it's easier to cut someone down than to try to celebrate somebody else's achievements.

Walt Disney was a Boy Scout and had strong ties to the organization.

After the ceremony there is, usually, a reception of some sort.

At the reception, there are displays of the honorees scouting life, the workbook & pictures of the Eagle project, and the the letters are (usually) in a book for people to look through, if they wish.

I had a picture professionally taken when DS was in 1st grade and he was wearing his Tiger Cub shirt. Do you know that in the excitement of trying to plan the reception after the Eagle Scout CoH, I forgot to include the picture?

What I think some of you are missing here is that the SCOUT is not the one asking for the recognition/congratulatory letters.

The letters are written by a third party (as in our case, our troop) to people/businesses that have indicated that they would like to honor the boys achieving the Eagle rank.

Basically, the troop is writing a letter saying, "we're proud to announce that XXX of Troop 123 has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Please join us in letting him know how proud we are of him".

While the boys working on the Eagle rank are aware that they will be getting letters, it's not a given that ANY of the requests will come through, although most do.

Exactly. You don't even TELL the Eagle Scout who you've requested letters from. I really wish I had thought to do this. DS would like to work for Disney some day. That dream hasn't changed in 10 years. I think he would have really appreciated a form letter with an auto pen.

Definitely entitled to your opinion.

I just look at it differently. The boy didn't spend years in scouting earning Eagle rank (and it does take years) looking for anything. He wanted to earn it because it means something to be able to say that you've earned that rank (in the world of scouting at the very least).

Neither the OP, nor her son are looking for special treatment. These letters are something that have already been done, for years.

I don't think (and it's just my opinion) that it's snowflaky or helicoptery. And this is based on what we did for my grandparents with regard to the letter we got from the President for their anniversary. They never would've sent a request to the White House for the letter. We knew we could get one for them, so we did. We thought they be tickled by it and they were. It was just a little something extra that made them smile. I don't think my grandparents are special, snowflaky grandparents, but they are special to me personally and the rest of our family. And if there was something special that we could do for them, however small, we wanted to do it.

As this thread has proven, the world is full of people just waiting to tear you down, so if you can do a little something extra for the ones you love, why not?

"snowflaky grandparents"

Seriously, though, who cares whether anybody else appreciates it or not as long as the recipient does?? Your snowflaky grandparents appreciated it. Ever watch an honor's day program? MANY of the certificates are signed by an "auto pen" and guess what? The kids don't care. The President's Fitness Challenge comes to mind as a wonderful example of providing a meaningful certificate for kids who have reached a goal, just like an Eagle Scout.

 

[Wadecool]

Don't be sorry you asked. What percentage of people have even attended an eagle scout court of honor? They don't understand because they haven't had the experience.

I think my mother put in just as much time, effort, and planning into my Eagle Court of Honor as she did each of my sisters weddings. Folks who have not earned the rank of Eagle themselves, been the family member or close friend of someone who has, simply cannot get it.

 

[goofy!]

Opinion here. If the scout wants the recognition and sends the letters, so be it. This thread brings to mind circling helicopters and the pilots/parents who want special treatment for precious snowflakes. I was raised that you do things to help others without looking for anything in return. Somehow, sending a request for recognition doesn't make the recognition appear to be heartfelt or genuine. Again, my opinion.

First of all, congrats to the Eagle Scout. It is indeed an accomplishment.

My personal opinion is that there is a huge difference between a scout leader asking for some congratulatory letters from congressmen, the president, etc as a third party and as the boy's scout leader and Mommy asking for letters for her son. A leader asking for congratulatory letters should be a special keepsake and part of many memories.

I do think it is helicopterish and snowflakey for a Mom to go asking for congratulatory letters. That to me seems braggy and tooting your own horn, something I was always taught was extremely rude and gauche.

My kids have had many major accomplishments that they have worked long and hard for. My son won the Speedo/NISCAA Academic All American Award for maintaining a 4.0+ for 4 years through high school and lettering in swimming all 4 years. (And I put in all those hours too, having him at the pool by 4:45am 5 days a week.) Only 1200 kids across the country were honored with this award. It never crossed my mind to puff up his ego by collecting congratulatory letters. If letters were to be had, that would have been the responsibility of the coach to seek out. It would have been highly inappropriate for me to go trolling for letters for him.

 

[KiminChicago]

First of all, as the mom of a Life Scout myself, congratulations to both you and your son on his achievement.

For those who asked or are unaware, only 4-5% of all Scouts attain the rank of Eagle. It is a huge deal. Unless you have helped a Scout through the process, you have no idea how much work goes into earning the Eagle rank.

As far as the Scouts being inclusive or exclusive -- I think you have to take all that with a grain of salt. A lot of what is said at the national level isn't the actuality at the local level. I think the negative gets all the publicity and no one ever hears about the positive.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I just want to say that i think, for most here, the topic has moved beyond the OP and into a discussion about how these things work for Boy Scouts in general. The topic has evolved.

I think that expressing an opinion that you do not agree with what seems to be a BSA tradition, that you find it hollow, or whatnot is really all that negative so I am surprised about the posts about negativity that keep popping up. I t is a valid discussion point, and I have not seen people get personal or mean about it at all-just discussing their feelings on the situation.

A lot of people on here are right that I at least do not have a big history with BSA. I have been to one court of awards (this year) and do not recall there being a book of letters there--but maybe I missed it. I understand that earning the rank of Eagle is a big deal. I understand it is a ton of work and something to be proud of. To MY way of thinking, having letters from organizations who really do not know you, letters which someone had to solicit and therefore have no genuine feeling in them, cheapens that honour. It makes the honour about number and kudos and not about truly being proud of the work done and about the lives affected.
Obviously others have a different view. That's fine. I just don't think either feeling is a bunch of negativity--they are just different ways of viewing it and we are all sharing those views.

 

[SandrA9810]

You could send out two letters to Disney, one to Guest Relations (there's a generic PO number for this), and secondly to the Voluntears.

Disney has a lot of support for volunteers, and for the Scouts. There are several weekends a year of scouts (girls and boys), camping at Fort Wilderness. If you're going to be staying there or at Wilderness Lodge, I would put a note on your reservation that you will be celebrating your son's achievement. Or even write a letter to the front desk of the resort. That way it gets into the hands of a manager that might help you make the trip special.

They also do a flag raising ceremony every morning on the roof top at the Lodge. You have to request it at check in. It's an amazing view from up top.


I would also write to the President. He is known for handwriting letters back. I would make it a little more personal than generic (of my son is getting eagle scout), and place what he did to reach his goal. It might increase the chance of getting a personal letter back.

 

[cornflake]

I would also write to the President. He is known for handwriting letters back. I would make it a little more personal than generic (of my son is getting eagle scout), and place what he did to reach his goal. It might increase the chance of getting a personal letter back.

I really can't imagine a presidential response to being eagle scout - which .... I know next to nothing about boy scouts (I didn't even know the organization still operated or existed until I was an adult, I'd thought it was an old timey thing in books), but I always heard eagle scout was some big, rare achievement.

People in the thread say 50,000 people a year get to eagle scout and it's 5-6% of boy scouts? I'd think a large percentage of people drop out far before then (though I can't believe that many people are boy scouts to begin with, at any point, that seems impossible) so... it doesn't seem rare at all, at 50,000 a year.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I really can't imagine a presidential response to being eagle scout - which .... I know next to nothing about boy scouts (I didn't even know the organization still operated or existed until I was an adult, I'd thought it was an old timey thing in books), but I always heard eagle scout was some big, rare achievement.

People in the thread say 50,000 people a year get to eagle scout and it's 5-6% of boy scouts? I'd think a large percentage of people drop out far before then (though I can't believe that many people are boy scouts to begin with, at any point, that seems impossible) so... it doesn't seem rare at all, at 50,000 a year.

Yes most people drop out before they get to that level (I see enough of Boy Scouts just by working in Girl Scouts to know that). I can't think of ANY boy I have known who stayed in scouts all through highschool who did not earn the rank of Eagle Scout--if they care enough to stay then they do it generally.
I am not surprised by the numbers at all. BSA is a huge organization and many boys are scouts at least in younger years, or at least attend a scout summer camp (which means registering as a scout), etc. The membership numbers would also include venture scouts which is open to girls and may include adult member (pretty much every volunteer parent and many others would then be included, though the 5% figure may be only for youth members, the BSA fact sheet I found online does not clarify one way or the other) Among other things, my understanding is that ALL Mormon boys are scouts because it is a part of their church's youth program which is a pretty big amount there alone. I think less than% of the boys my son knew in the US had never been a boy scout (he is one of that 20% ).

 

[cornflake]

Yes most people drop out before they get to that level (I see enough of Boy Scouts just by working in Girl Scouts to know that). I can't think of ANY boy I have known who stayed in scouts all through highschool who did not earn the rank of Eagle Scout--if they care enough to stay then they do it generally.
I am not surprised by the numbers at all. BSA is a huge organization and many boys are scouts at least in younger years, or attend a scout camp (which means registering as a scout), etc. Among other things, my understanding is that ALL Mormon boys are scouts which is a pretty big amount there alone. I think less than% of the boys my son knew in the US had never been a boy scout (he is one of that 20% ).

It's obviously just people one knows or whatever, as I didn't know any scouts of any kind growing up, nor do I know any now. I learned they still existed in college when some girl scouts used our theatre for a thing and some people were confused by their existance and some were confused by our confusion, heh.

That makes sense, the 'if you stick with it, you get the top thing' part, though it doesn't explain how it's touted as some amazing, rare achievement, with the numbers, but the numbers themselves are still kind of amazing.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I found a fact sheet with the membership numbers spelled out!

For 2010 there were 2,739,692 youth members and 1,111,453 adult mebers/volunteers

included in those youth numbers are over 500,000 kids who went to BSA residence camps (who may not participate in scouting otherwise).

http://www.scouting.org/About/FactSheets/YearinReview.aspx